I think this book has the most time spent in his point of view as he chases Raphael and Ahmes, determined to collect Raphael’s blood for a spell that Arcas needs to cast. I took my time with his scenes, wanting to add more depth to him but also display the quiet madness of his devotion. He believes with all his heart that what he’s doing is right and that Arcas will be victorious in the end. I pity him, actually. His mind has been so warped by Arcas that pleasing him is Gregor’s only purpose in life.

When I set out to write this story, Ahmes took time to develop. I think I had a draft written that I ended up discarding and rewriting. I needed Ahmes to have opposite and complementary elements to Raphael. Opposite in his age, maturity, and peace with how and what he is, a cat shifter, and complementary in his gentle and protective nature, and easy-going attitude. He was supportive of Raphael from the very start and never wavered in his determination to set his friend on the right path.

So… Raphael. Sweet, sweet Raphael. He’s gone through quite the transformation since I first envisioned the series and knew I wanted to write about an “unusual” wolf shifter. And the changes I made to him, in turn, changed the story. For the better. He started out as an older man haunted by the beast within him and became a young man struggling to find his identity. I think this might be the closest to a “coming of age” story that I’ve written so far. That wasn’t intentional but considering the structure of the story, it was a natural fit.